Trilogy Guitars

Trilogy is an unobtrusive two-​story edifice at the end of Culver Boulevard, on the ocean end of Playa del Rey’s tiny block long downtown. The building has no signage to distinguish it from neighboring homes, and it blends seamlessly into the upscale surrounding of the beach community.
Just as with luxury retailer Neiman Marcus, where the price tags of the inventory speak louder than any street sign could, Trilogy is a destination for the most discerning guitar shoppers in the world. Owner John Silva specializes in carrying only the output of the best luthiers of today. One such local luthier is Jack Sanders, also a world-​class guitarist in his own right. (The prices for the stock on hand starts at the mid four figures and goes up from there).
By being the clearinghouse for the some of most expensive and exquisite custom guitars in the world, Mr. Silva has been able to book such world class talents as the Kurosawa brothers, Thomas Leeb, Ricard Cobo, Dennis Koster, and many other names familiar to guitar music aficionados the world over, for concerts in his 50 seat upstairs showroom.
Silva jokingly quips that he won’t let any of the musicians purchase anything out from his inventory unless they promise to play at Trilogy someday. This arrangement is one that not only brings him the pleasure of experiencing the consummate artistry of his most accomplished customers, but gives the few lucky insiders (who hear about the concerts via word of mouth), the rare chance to see the world’s best guitarists from a distance of a scant few feet in a cozy space about the size of a large living room.
From my first row seat at Japanese guitarist Goh Kurosawa’s «Hitori» CD release, I was literally within five feet of the proceedings, (which is a far cry from my nosebleed seat I had at the Hollywood Bowl 20 years ago for the Romeros).
I also had the pleasure of attending concerts by Mexican virtuoso folklorico music ensemble Quetzalcatl, and the incomparable Michael Chapdelaine.
Whether you want to come drool over the instruments, or to be wowed with performances of guitarists who more-​than do justice to Trilogy’s stock, you are guaranteed a world-​class experience.